Action-filled Retro RX weekend at Lydden Hill

The second and third rounds of the 2020 Retro Rallycross Championship accompanied the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy at Lydden Hill for a double-header weekend (December 5-6) as top-level rallycross was run in the depths of winter just as has been traditional at ‘The Home of Rallycross’ through the decades.

The eclectic mix of Retro RX entries across the three classes were greeted by mostly dry conditions for the two-day event, but cool temperatures and overnight rain did nothing to help with grips levels on the amazing Lydden Hill circuit.

Steve Cozens (Citroen AX) topped qualifying in the Retro Rallycross category in round two, ahead of Tony Lynch’s Toyota MR2 and Robert Buckmaster’s Ford Fiesta. The three held the same positions at the conclusion of the final after a battle for victory between Cozens and Lynch on Saturday afternoon, but Ford Fiesta driver Mark Finch was denied a podium by broken suspension in the final stages of the race.

Newcomer Nigel Davey delivered a star performance in his Peugeot 205 with two fastest times in Qualifying to take pole position in the Super Retro final in round two. Retro regular Vince Bristow (BMW E30) and former champion Ray Morgan (Ford Escort) ran side-by-side for over half a lap at the start of the final, but when Davey got out of shape through Lydden’s famous chicane, Bristow took the lead and ultimately claimed victory ahead of John Cross’ Lancia Stratos and Morgan. Paul Pascoe (Sierra Cosworth) was fourth, but Davey retired after an incident when lapping Steve Pascoe’s Ford Escort.

The Group B & 4WD category ran a single event over two days, but all classes were amalgamated on track for the final in round three on Sunday. Having dominated qualifying, Mitsubishi Evo driver Bradley Sampson started from pole position and was never troubled on his way to overall final victory and the 4WD win. Derrick Jobb took second in his venerable Ford Escort Cosworth and Dom Flitney drove his Subaru Impreza to third.

Behind, Morgan and Cozens overtook Cross early in the race, but Cozens went off late on race and it was Bristow who claimed the Super Retro honours ahead of Cross. Lynch ran into technical problems in the final, and Buckmaster took the Retro RX win, ahead of Simon Hart (Ford Escort). 

“We were happy to be able to go racing again after a long break and are very grateful to the organisers and Motorsport UK for helping to make that happen,” said Retro RX promoter Shirley Gibson. “It was a great weekend’s racing for the Retro competitors, a few mishaps and problems which is always sad to see, but overall we were pleased with how things went. I congratulate our winners. It was a good-sized entry across the three categories and I thank all of our drivers for taking part during these strange times, something we are committed to repeating when we return to Lydden in January and finally bring our 2020 campaign to an end.” 

The final round of 2020 Retro Rallycross season will take place at Lydden Hill in January. 

Find full results and championship standings via the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy website here.